Family as a social institution
The study of variations in the structure and arrangement of the family has taken a more significant place in sociological studies. The fabric has evolved since the emergency of urbanization and modernization following the industrial revolution. Several sociological theories have been employed in the study of the family as a social institution. This paper attempts to analyze; Durkheim’s functionalist theory, conflict theory by Marx, and symbolic interactionist by Mead and their views on family.
Durkheim’s functionalist theory views the family as a social structure which has a function within the society. Durkheim believes that the community is made up of several organs that work and function together to bring stability and solidarity. In his theory, he asserts that the family is one of the organs of society and that it has its essential functions. A stable family provides a well-unified member of the community that imparts culture to the new members of the organization. Durkheim explains that the unity of the society begins from the family. For instance, a good father that instills good morals to his children makes the children better members of the community.
Furthermore, Marx’s conflict theory states that differences in terms of material resources cause some of the issues within the family. That the traditional structure of family-controlled children in such a way that they were morally upright. In the current world, families vary in terms of material wealth, so children engage in different things such as prostitution to be equal to their peers. Moreover, the traditional family, the man dominated over the woman and that women subjected to men, in modern society, women have their space within families and that they just like men can head the family. Place of women and men in the family has led to conflicts within families because of the traditional imposed values on how a family should function.
Additionally, Mead’s view in symbolic interaction theory is that individuals are products of social interactions. Mead asserts that how an individual behaves is as a result of how they socialize within their families. For instance, a child who loves reading books is a product of a family that encourages reading every day. Therefore, how parents relate to their children affects their outcomes in connecting with others within society. Thus, the family a tool for modeling individuals into useful members of the community and vice versa.